Collapsible sign stand

ABSTRACT

A collapsible stand for supporting signs and the like above the ground includes a pair of spaced upright posts for receiving the sign. A tie bar joins the posts and is hinged to the lower ends of the posts. A plurality of elongated feet hinged to the lower ends of the posts lie normal to the tie bar. The tie bar and feet abut the ground for retaining the stand in position, while at the same time, maintaining the posts upright.

United States Patent MEN \H/ 1 WQRKING P 2,675,981 4/1954 Ferris 248/166 2,798,618 7/1957 Singer 211/178 R 3,076,557 2/1963 Husted et a1. 211/178 R 3,146,892 9/1964 White ,1 211/178 R 3,483,999 12/1969 Barrett 21 11178 R FOREIGN PATENTS 927,539 5/1955 Germany 248/166 243,942 3/ 1947 Switzerland 248/ 166 152,938 111956 Sweden 211/178 R Primary Examiner--Marion Parsons, .Ir. Attorney-Daniel D. Fetterley ABSTRACT: A collapsible stand for supporting signs and the like above the ground includes a pair of spaced upright posts for receiving the sign. A tie bar joins the posts and is hinged to the lower ends of the posts. A plurality of elongated feet hinged to the lower ends of the posts lie normal to the tie bar. The tie bar and feet abut the ground for retaining the stand in position, while at the same time, maintaining the posts upright.

latter.

eorm mws cn Sm BACKGROUND OF THE invaisriou 1-. Field brute invention a The present invention relates to collapsible stands and more particularly to'stands suitable for use in supportingand displaying wamingsigns and the like. Suchsignsiare necessary for reasons of safety, or pursuant to legal requirements, in

- areas where work'is being done on or adjacent roadways and thoroughfares to warn passing motorists of the presence of equipment and worltmen and to provide protection to the t Briefly, the" present invention provides a collapsible sign 1 stand having apairofsign supporting posts. The lower endsof v The P esent invention relates to holding supports s d;

2. Description ofthe PriorArt the-posts abut the ground and are joined by a tie ,bar which lies on the ground and forms the posts-into a unitary structure.

This structure is held in the upright position by pairs of feet I lying on the ground normal to the tie bar and joined to the lower ends of theupright posts. The posts aresired and jointed and the tie ba'rs and feet sized and hinged so. that the stand may be collapsed into a compact bundle for storage and transjoints or hinges between the posts, tie bar, and feet permit limited movement between the elements to provide resiliency to the stand.

" It will befappreciated that the wsrning'signs and their stands I transported to'an'd from the work 'site'in the's ame vehicles as theworkmen and'thei'r equipment-so' that a premium is placed on lightweight, compact stands which do not unduly displace menand equipment from the ,worlr vehicle. For this reason, warning sign stands have usually been constructed so that they may be collapsed 'for.transportation and storage. Such collapsible signs-have generally comprised a tripod supporting a mast on which the warning sign is mounted for dis- Howeveflas'the motor traflic hasincreased, it has become necessary to increase the size of the signs in order to provide adequate, informative warnings to the passing motorists. Ithas'also become necessary to raise the height of the sign off the groundto a'high'erlevel to'insurethatthe inotorists'atte'ntion is drawn to. the sign; Thisneed for larger,

higher signs has; placed additional burden s'on the stands used to supports'uch signs. In addition to the increased weight of the sign, the stand is subject to greater wind loads bothdue to the greater area the sign and the greater moment arm throughfiwhich thewind force acts. Thewind generated by passing vehicles causes repetitive impulse forces'on the stand.

Under such conditions, tipping or displacement of tripod sign standsimay occur which eliminates or lessens their waming function. are; dislodgenient of the stand is attributable to Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent or be noted in the-foIlowing-drawing and description of the preferred embodiment. v BRlEFDESCRlP'IlOPt or nn; oaswmo I,

'FIG. I is a perspective view of the sign of the present invention in its fully erected position; 5 v, v v FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the signstand'of th'e' present invention with portion's'thereof cutaway to reveal details of the upright posts of the stand, alternative positions of the post being shown by dotted lines; o v I g FIG. 3 is a partial front view" of the sign stand of the'present' invention'with portions-thereof cut away "to reveal details of the hinge-mounting of the tie bar and feet of the sign stand, alp ternative positions of these elements beingshown by dotted lines;and

F165. 4 through 7. are'perspective views showing .the

erection of the sign of .the'present invention, 4

showing the sign stand in'a collapsed position suitable for storage and. transportation, FIGS/Sand showing interthe small surfacearea, of the tripod in contact with the ground,

this surface area being onlylthe bottom surfaces of the three legs of the tripod. Additionally the inherently rigid structure Ofthe tripod necessary to retain the mast upright prevents the stand. from readily absorbing momentarily excessive wind loads thereby avoiding dislodgement;

Thewind forces, or the resulting displacement or tipping,

have oftencaused damage-to, or dest ructionof, tripod sign stands. The tendency of tripod sign stands to tipis often increased if the stand is used on uneven ground since the con figuration of the base must be altered to place the' mast While conventional sign stands have been strengthened to resist increased loading, this-has been at the expense of commediate steps in theerection of the sign stand, and FIG. 7

showing the terminalstep and the standwithout the'sign.

DESCRIPTION or me PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 1- A collapsible sign stand 10 of in; present invention is shown.

in the erected position of FIG. a displaying warning sign I2.

' Stand 10 includes a pair of spaced, vertical posts or standards 14 and 16 to which sign 12 may be' removably attached as by brackets 18.

I As shown in FIGS. I and 2, the lower portion'20 of 14 and. I6 may comprise a channel memberwhich is over half as long as the completely erected height of l4 and 16. The

. upper portion 22, which maybe tubular in formQis pivotally mountedin lower portion 20so that it may be strung upw wardly, as shown by the arrow in 'FIG. 2, during erection of sign stand 10.

pactness and weight so that the sign stands, have come totake 'up excessive space in the truck and to be heavy ing handling and erection.

sumuxavlorrnemvemion It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to pro- 1 vide a sign stand which is lightweight and compact, while at the same time is capable of supporting large signs and of resisting, without dislodgement, the wind loads exerted on the sign.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a sign stand which providesa large surface area in contact with the ground and bulky dur- To form hinge or pivot between lower 20 and upper portion 22 in posts 14 and 16, a pin 24 is inserted through the upper ends of the extending flanges'of the channels forming lower portions 20. Each of the lower ends of upper portions 22, when the upper portions are in the erected position, as shown in FIG. 2, are providedwithfa' slot 26, through which passes pin 24. Upper portion 22 is retained in the erected position by lowering the upper portion 22 into the channel of lower portion so that pin 24 moves to the upper terminus of slot 26 and the lower end of upper portion 22 abuts the web of lower portion 20. In this manner upper portion 22 is simply, but effectively held in the erect position on lower portion 20. Y

The distance between the lower terminus of slot andthe end of upper portion 22, when upper 22 is inthe erected position, is sized to permit the end of upper portion 22 to clear the web of the channel of lower portion 20 when upper portion 22 is raised and pin 24is in the lower terminus of slot 26, thereby to pennit upper portion 22 to be pivoted about the pin to the collapsed position shown in FIG. 2 in dotted lines. The length of upper portion 22 may be such as to permit upper portion' 22 to'lie within the lower channel of I lower portion 20. The upper end of upper portion 22 may be o p b y ct in ders 28 attached to upper portions 22,'the ends of upper portions 22 lie outside the channels of lower portions 20 when in the collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 2.

- It will be apparent from the foregoing that posts 14 and 16 provide a rigid structure'capable of supporting sign 12 against the various forces applied thereto while at the same time providing a structure which compactly collapses for storage and transport. I

Posts 14 and 16 are joined by tie bar 32 to form a unitary sign supporting structure. A bracket 34 comprised of a short piece of channel, similar to that used for lower portions 20, is

affixed to the lower ends of lower portions 20 as by welding.'

Bracket 34 is mounted perpendicular to lower portion 20 so that the web of the channel is in contact with the ground when sign stand is in the erected position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The channel opens upwardly when the sign stand is viewed as in FIGS. 1 and 3. A pin is inserted between the flanges of bracket 34.

Tie bar 32, which may be tubular in cross-sectional configuration, contains a slot 38 in each end thereof through which passes pin 36 to form a hinge and maintain tie bar 32 integral with posts 14 and 16. The inner terminus of slot 38, that is, the end adjacent post 14 or 16, is positioned in the end of tie bar 32 in a manner similar to the positioning of slots 26 in upper portions 22 so that the end of the tie bar clears the web of bracket 34 to allow the tie bar to pivot with respect to bracket to the position shown by the dotted lines and arrows in FIG. 3. In the position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 3, tie bar 32 lies approximately parallel to the adjacent post 14 or 16.

To retain or lock tie bar 32 in the lowered position, in which it forms an extension of bracket 34, and is in contact with the ground over substantially all of its length, a spring 40 is positioned inside tie bar 32. One end of spring 40 is affixed to pin 36 while the other end is affixed to pin 42 extending through tubular tie bar 32. Spring 40 urges tie bar 32 toward the adjacent post 14 or 16 and pin 36 and into the outer terminus of slot 38 so as to prevent tie bar 32 from pivoting about pin 36 due to the contact of the end of tie bar 32 with the web of bracket 34.

When in the lowered position, tie bar 32 is approximately perpendicular to posts 14 and 16 and the lower surface of the tie bar parallel to the web of bracket 34. In order to facilitate the pivoting of tie bar 32, a slight clearance may be left between tie bar 32 and the web of bracket 34 by the positioning and sizing of slot 38 and pin 36. This permits limited, rocking relative movement between tie bar 32 and posts 14 and 16 which provides the aforementioned resiliency to the structure. Spring 40, of course, continually urges the members into a position of perpendicularity.

A pair of opposed feet 44 are mounted on the lower end of each of lower portions of posts 14 and 16. Feet 44 are perpendicular to posts 14 and 16 and to tie bar 32 and contact the ground on which the sign stand is placed. The mounting of feet 44 on posts 14 and 16 is accomplished in the same manner as tie bar 32 through the use of additional brackets 34, pins 36, slots 38, springs 40, and pins 42.

The length of the tie bar is slightly in excess of the length of feet 44 to facilitate the collapsing of sign stand 10.

The erection of sign stand 10 may be seen by reference to FIGS. 4 through 7. FIG. 4 shows the sign stand in the fully collapsed condition in which posts 14 and 16 are folded and tie bar 32 and feet 44 lie generally parallel and closely adjacent the posts. The location of feet 44 in the collapsed condition is facilitated by the increased length of tie bar 32 with respect to feet 44, as the length of tie bar 32 determines the height of collapsed stand 10. As this height is greater than the length of feet 44, the latter may'be neatly folded along posts 14 and 16. The stand is retained in the collapsed position for storage or transport by strap 50 which encircles the collapsed stand and is fastened to post 14.

To commence the. erection of sign stand 10, strap 50 is released. Tie bar 32 is pivoted downwardly about the hinge at the lower end of post 14 carrying with it post 16 joined to the other end of the tie bar, as shown in FIG. 5. Spring 40 forces the end of tie bar 32 affixed to post 14 against the post to lock the tie bar and post against further movement.

Post 16 is then swung upwardly as shown in FIG. 6 to erect the other post. Spring 40 forces the end of tie bar-32 affixed to post 16 against the post to lock thetie'bar and post against further movement. Either prior to, or after, erecting post 16, feet 44 may be swung down, also as shown in FIG. 6 to retain posts 14' and 16 of sign stand 10 in the upright position. Lastly, upper portions 22 are raised on lower portions 20, as shown in FIG. 7 to complete the erection of sign stand 10.

I claim:

1. A collapsible stand for above the ground comprising:

a pair of spaced upright posts having lower ends abuttable with the ground and upper ends for receiving the sign;

a tie bar joining said posts to form a sign supporting structure, said tie bar being coupled to the lower ends of said posts through hinges having a locked position for retaining said posts perpendicular to said tie bar and a hinging position for permitting said tie bar and posts to be swung together, said tie bar being abuttable with the ground; and

a plurality of elongated feet coupled to the lower ends of said posts normal to said tie bar, said feet being coupled through hinges manipulatable between a locked position for retaining the posts perpendicular to the feet and a hinging position for pennitting said posts and feet to be swung together, said feet being abuttable with the ground for maintaining said sign supporting structure upright.

2. The collapsible stand of claim 1 wherein said hinges are so constructed as to permit limited movement of said posts with respect to said tie bar and feet when in the locked position.

3. The collapsible stand of claim 2 wherein said hinges include means urging said posts into the perpendicular position with respect to said tie bar and feet.

4. The collapsible stand of claim 3 wherein said tie bar and feet comprise tubular members and each of said hinges includes a channel member mounted on said post at right angles thereto, said channel having a pair of spaced flanges separated by a web for receiving an end portion of said tubular members between the flanges, the end portion of said tubular members containing a slot having an inner terminus adjacent said post and an outer terminus, said slot receiving a pin extending between the flanges of said channel for pivoting said tubular member in said channel, the spacing of the inner terminus of said slot from the end of said tubular member being such as to allow the end of the tubular member to clear the web of the channel during pivoting, and spring means for urging said pin into the outer terminus of said slot and said post into the perpendicular position.

5. The collapsible stand of claim 1 wherein said upright posts are comprised of a lower portion hinged to said tie bar and feet and an upper portion pivotally mounted on said lower portion for movement between a collapsed position and an erected position, the length of said upper portion being such as to permit said portion to lie along said lower portion when the post is in the collapsed position.

6. The collapsible stand of claim 5 wherein said lower portion of said upright posts comprises a channel member having a pair of spaced flanges separated by a web and said upper portion has an end part insertable between the flanges of said lower portion, the end part of said upper portion containing a slot having a first terminus adjacent the end of said upper portion and a second terminus, said slot receiving a pin extending between the flanges of said channel for pivoting said upper member in said channel, the spacing of the first terminus of said slot from the end of said upper portion being such as to allow the end of the upper portion to clear the web of the channel during pivoting, said pin being slidable into the supporting signs and the like said tie bar is greater than the length of said elongated feet to facilitate collapsing of said stand. 

1. A collapsible stand for supporting signs and the like above the ground comprising: a pair of spaced upright posts having lower ends abuttable with the ground and upper ends for receiving the sign; a tie bar joining said posts to form a sign supporting structure, said tie bar being coupled to the lower ends of said posts through hinges having a locked position for retaining said posts perpendicular to said tie bar and a hinging position for permitting said tie bar and posts to be swung together, said tie bar being abuttable with the ground; and a plurality of elongated feet coupled to the lower ends of said posts normal to said tie bar, said feet being coupled through hinges manipulatable between a locked position for retaining the posts perpendicular to the feet and a hinging position for permitting said posts and feet to be swung together, said feet being abuttable with the ground for maintaining said sign supporting structure upright.
 2. The collapsible stand of claim 1 wherein said hinges are so constructed as to permit limited movement of said posts with respect to said tie bar and feet when in the locked position.
 3. The collapsible stand of claim 2 wherein said hinges include means urging said posts into the perpendicular position with respect to said tie bar and feet.
 4. The collapsible stand of claim 3 wherein said tie bar and feet comprise tubular members and each of said hinges includes a channel member mounted on said post at right angles thereto, said channel having a pair of spaced flanges separated by a web for receiving an end portion of said tubular members between the flanges, the end portion of said tubular members containing a slot having an inner terminus adjacent said post and an outer terminus, said slot receiving a pin extending between the flanges of said channel for pivoting said tubular member in said channel, the spacing of the inner terminus of said slot from the end of said tubular member being such as to allow the end of the tubular member to clear the web of the channel during pivoting, and spring means for urging said pin into the outer terminus of said slot and said post into the perpendicular position.
 5. The collapsible stand of claim 1 wherein said upright posts are comprised of a lower portion hinged to said tie bar and feet and an upper portion pivotally mounted on said lower portion for movement between a collapsed position and an erected position, the length of said upper portion being such as to permit said portion to lie along said lower portion when the post is in the collapsed position.
 6. The collapsible stand of claim 5 wherein said lower portion of said upright posts comprises a channel member having a pair of spaced flanges separated by a web and said upper portion has an end part insertable between the flanges of said lower portion, the end part of said upper portion containing a slot having a first terminus adjacent the end of said upper portion and a second terminus, said slot receiving a pin extending between the flanges of said channel for pivoting said upper member in said channel, the spacing of the first terminus of said slot from the end of said upper portion being such as to allow the end of the upper portion to clear the web of the channel during pivoting, said pin being slidable into the second terminus of said slot to retain the upper portion of the post in the upright position.
 7. The collapsible stand of claim 1 wherein the length of said tie bar is greater than the length of said elongated feet to facilitate collapsing of said stand. 